Chocolate Babka...is there anything better?!? This loaf takes a little more work to put together, but is so worth it! I could eat this everyday with a large cup of coffee. :)
This babka is filled with chocolate swirls and has the most delicious crumble on top. It has a crisp outside with a soft yummy center. I guarantee your friends and family will love this!
Prep time: 25 minutes Cook time: 1 hr. 15 min Rest time: 2 1/2 hours
Ingredients:
Babka Dough:
-1/2 cup warm milk
-1/2 tablespoon instant yeast
-2 cups all purpose flour
-1/4 teaspoon salt
-1/4 cup granulated sugar
-1 egg
-1/3 cup butter (unsalted at room temperature)
Chocolate Crumble Filling:
-2 cups dark chocolate chips (blend)
-1/4 cup butter (unsalted at room temperature)
-1/3 cup granulated sugar
-3/4 tablespoon ground cinnamon (I add a little over)
Crumble Topping:
-1/2 cup powdered sugar
-1 tablespoon dark brown sugar
-1/4 and 2 tablespoons flour
-1/4 cup butter (unsalted at room temperature)
Egg Wash:
-1 egg
-1 tablespoon heavy cream or milk
Next Step:
-Combine the warm milk and yeast in a small bowl and let sit for 10 minutes.
-Then add in the egg and sugar. Whisk until combined.
-Pour into a stand mixture and add in the flour and salt.
-Attach your dough hook and mix for 2 minutes.
-Chop up your butter and slowly add it to the yeast/flour mixture.
-Continue to mix on medium speed for another 5 minutes until your dough forms and is smooth.
-Take out the dough and knead for 1 minute on a lightly floured surface.
-Then put the dough into a lightly greased bowl and cover and let sit for 1 1/2 hours.
-While the dough is resting make the chocolate crumble filling.
-In a blender pulse the chocolate chips a couple of times until it is smooth and fine.
-Add the sugar, cinnamon, and butter to the chopped chocolate and with your hands crumble/squeeze/pull apart the mixture until a good crumble forms. This will take a good 5 minutes. (Put 3 tablespoons aside of the crumble mixture)
-When the dough is done resting, put it on a floured surface and roll out into a large 16-18 inch square.
-Quickly make your egg wash.
-Add the chocolate crumble mixture all over the dough, leaving about an inch around the border. Use all of the crumble, (except the 3 tbsp you set aside).
-Then brush the egg wash around the edges.
-Roll the dough into a log and seal (gently push down) the sides and edges.
-Gently twist the log a couple of times. Then fold the log in half and cross the left side over the right and twist one more time. (Be gentle so you don't puncture the log.)
-Place the twisted dough into a parchment lined 9x5 loaf pan. Brush some of the egg wash on top and add 3 tablespoons of the chocolate crumble you set aside.
-Preheat the oven to 350 F and lower the oven rack.
-Let the dough rest and rise in the loaf pan for another 20 minutes.
-While it is resting, make the crumble topping.
-In a small bowl, combine the powdered sugar, brown sugar, flour, and butter.
-Squeeze/crumble with your hands for a couple of minutes until a good crumble forms.
-Add the crumble on top of the dough and gently push down.
-Bake for 50 minutes at 350 F
-Then turn the heat down to 325 F, rotate your loaf and bake for another 20-25 minutes.
-When done, your babka will reach an internal temperature of 190 F.
-Let your babka cool.
-Slice and ENJOY!!!
*For additional recipes please follow me on Instagram @a.sprinkle.of.sweet